Free Bayview Heights Trilogy by Kathryn Shay Page A

about you
. Instead, he gave her
the second reason he’d come. “I wanted to talk to you about the
lesson I’m supposed to teach on Monday.”
    “We already discussed this last week.” She
eyed him warily. “Why do I have the feeling I’m not going to like
this?”
    “I want to change the lesson plan, but I
didn’t want to surprise you. It’s supposed to be on drug usage—the
law, the penalties, some of the more severe consequences.”
    “I know. We went over all this. What do you
want to change it to?”
    “Inhalants. What they are, why they’re
dangerous.”
    Cassie drew in a deep breath. Consciously
trying to relax—Mitch was astute in reading body language—she
sipped her coffee but held his gaze. Finally she said, “Some people
think that kind of information encourages kids to experiment.”
    “Do you?”
    “No, I think it informs them of the dangers,
especially if it isn’t instructive in the methods of doing
drugs.”
    “Well, national research bears you out.” He
sipped his coffee, too, noting absently that she was one of the few
people who made it strong enough for him. “I have a movie that
explains the physical effects. It’s interspersed with kids talking
about their use and what it did to them.”
    “It sounds good.”
    Mitch shifted in his seat. “I’d need help
again—planning the lesson, until I get the hang of it myself.”
    The corners of her mouth turned up, making
him feel like one of the students who had pleased her. “All right.
I’d like to see the movie first, anyway. Why don’t we put your
lesson off until Tuesday, then if you’re free, we can work together
after school Monday on a lesson design.”
    Mitch set his cup on the table. “Why are you
being so cooperative? I thought you’d be furious at me.”
    Cassie sat back and tucked her feet under
her. Her face was clean of makeup and still flushed from the heat
of her bath. “I’m not mad you brought the kids in. They deserved
it, especially DeFazio.”
    “But...”
    “But I am mad that you seem to think you have
to keep me out of all of this.”
    “It wasn’t your place to be there
tonight.”
    “And just who are you to decide that?”
    He thought about that and decided to pick his
battles. “You’re right.”
    She cocked her head. “Why do I have the
feeling I’m being mollified?”
    “No wonder the kids can’t pull anything over
on you.”
    Chuckling, she gave him an easy smile that
made him uncomfortable.
    Linking his hands between his knees, he said,
“I’ve got another lesson I want to add to my list. As a matter of
fact, I’m thinking of approaching Seth Taylor about doing this for
the whole school.” He held her gaze unflinchingly. “On gang
prevention.”
    Cassie lurched forward. “No!” The action
splattered coffee all over her shirt. Luckily, it had cooled
somewhat so she wasn’t burned, but it got her sopping wet. Mitch
reached into his back pocket and pulled out a handkerchief. Rising,
he crossed the two feet between them and hunched down in front of
her as she set the cup on the end table.
    Give her the cloth. Don’t touch
her
.
    “Here.” He passed her his handkerchief. She
took it and pressed it to her chest. He watched her for a few
seconds, then started to stand. She grabbed his wrist, keeping him
where he was, down on one knee in front of her. Close enough to
smell the soap from her bath. Near enough to see the smattering of
freckles on her nose.
    “You can’t do this, Mitch. Please, listen to
me.”
    There was so much emotion in her voice, he
was distracted from the effect of her nearness.
    “Why?”
    “Because of Johnny, of course.”
    “He’s in a gang.”
    “Not exactly.” Mitch arched a brow. “Johnny
was in the Blisters when he lived in New York City. On the advice
of some social workers, his mother moved out here when he was in
ninth grade. He’d already been in the gang for two years.”
    Mitch swore vilely. “I hate the whole gang
thing, but especially when